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New Study Released on Addressing Murder in The Bahamas

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#Bahamas, October 21, 2017 – Nassau – Director of the National Anti-Drug Secretariat (NADS) within the Ministry of National Security, and Superintendent of Police Dr. Chaswell A. Hanna on October 18, 2017 announced the launch of a new study on murders entitled, “Solutions to the Murder Problem,” under the auspices of NADS in partnership with the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the University of The Bahamas.

“This study had three main objectives,” Dr. Hanna said at the launch, held at the Churchill Building.   “Firstly, Chapters 1 through 6 presented a descriptive analysis of murder incidents that occurred within The Commonwealth of The Bahamas between 2010 and 2015 – 719 murders.   During this study period, a host of variables including incidence, victims, suspects, motives, detection and conviction were collected and analyzed from case files and local criminal justice databases.”

Secondly, Dr. Hanna said, Chapters 7 and 8 presented a comprehensive review of literature on the issue of homicide prevention and ways by which detection rates may be improved.

“Best practices and innovative preventative programs devised and/or adopted by law enforcement agencies throughout the world were also shared and examined,” Dr. Hanna said.   “Careful attention was given to the results of scholarly evaluations of such programs to determine the extent of their effectiveness.”

Finally, he noted, Chapter 9 presents a new Murder Reduction Strategy for The Bahamas based on the findings of this study.

“This strategic plan proposes the introduction of several new police initiatives, policy adjustments, constitutional amendments and community-based programs to reduce murder and other violent crimes,” he pointed out.   “The strategy gives evidence-based solutions to policy makers which they can use to guide decisions.”

Dr. Hanna said the some of the “more interesting” findings included the following: The Bahamas’ murder rate ranks 13th out of a survey of 142 nations; murders are heavily concentrated in communities which fall below the average household income line; and that persons involved in criminal activity are more likely to be murdered than persons who are not involved in criminal activity.

The study also found that 19% of murder victims were on bail; 39% of persons charged with murder were on bail; when compared to the United States, local detection rates tended to be higher; and that there are over 200 murder cases still pending trial for the study period.

Juries, Dr. Hanna said, returned a guilty verdict in 76% of the cases presented to them for deliberation, and most sentences for murder convictions included 31-40 years imprisonment.

“Recommendations offered in the Murder Reduction Strategy are based on the findings of this study and associated research and may not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or positions of the Ministry of National Security or the Royal Bahamas Police Force,” Dr. Hanna pointed out.

He noted that the Murder Reduction Strategy is comprised of the following seven key action points: Punish the Most Violent Offenders; Stop Illegal Guns Entering The Bahamas; Create a DNA Forensic Laboratory; Dismantle Criminal Gangs; Dissuade Youths from Using Drugs; Increase Economic Opportunities for at-Risk Youth; and Increase Educational Achievement.

“While some of these recommendations may raise some eyebrows, presenting them provides a space for policy makers to take a fresh look to this national issue,” Dr. Hanna said. “Finally, we are happy that this study adds to the relatively small, but growing, body of local research, which can be furthered explored by other researchers at the University of The Bahamas.”

Dr. Hanna stated that the following Friday, October 20, 2017, he would be presenting the details of the Strategy at the University of the Bahamas’ Harry C. Moore Library at 12:30pm. This event, he noted, would be free and open to the general public.

“A free copy of the study can be downloaded at our website www.bahamas.gov.bs/nads and the University of The Bahamas’ website,” he added.

By: Eric Rose

Photo captions:  NASSAU, The Bahamas – Director of the National Anti-Drug Secretariat (NADS) within the Ministry of National Security and Superintendent of Police Dr. Chaswell A. Hanna (centre) speaks, on October 18, 2017, during the announcement of the launch of a new study on murders entitled “Solutions to the Murder Problem.”   The study – a printed copy of which he is holding – was under the auspices of NADS in partnership with the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the University of The Bahamas.   Also pictured are Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash (left) and NADS Supply Reduction Officer David Ramsey.

(BIS Photo/Eric Rose)

 

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Twist To Win Ends in a Grand Style with Four $5,000 Mall at Marathon Shopping Sprees  

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Twist To Win grand finale winners (l-r) Brian Bethel, Taraceta Neely, Ashia Demeritte and Merlin Adams posing along with their winnings from the shopping spree.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.

The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.

With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.

Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.

Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.

Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!

After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.

The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.

At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.

Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.

Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.

The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.

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 The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival.                                                                                                                                                                              Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.

As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.

Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole, with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.

Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.

Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the listening booth.

Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.

For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!

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CWS Brings a Galore of Bubbles at Annual Jollification Festival  

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Caribbean Wines & Spirits team members smiling behind one of the company’s two bars at Jollification

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.

Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.

The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members.  Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.

Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine.  To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.

On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking in the comfort of the chic lounge.  In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.

The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.

To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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